Michael Collins: In His Own Words

by Michael Collins, Francis Costello (Editor)

In the pages of this book, Francis Costello allows Michael Collins to speak in his own words. He traces Collins's career from his school days to his tragic death at the age of 31, through a series of edited extracts from Collins's writings, speeches, letters and memoranda. Using a chronological narrative, Costello provides linking text to set the context for each extract from Collins. He draws his material from sources as diverse as printed books, the Collins papers in the National Library of Ireland, the Military History Bureau of the Department of Defence, Dail Reports, contemporary newspaper accounts and the private papers of many who came into contact with Collins. The Michael Collins revealed in these pages is a complex, multi-faced politician; head of intelligence; Minister for Finance; friend and lover. Getting behind the myth, this book shows us the real Collins - in his own words.

Genres: History

192 pages, Paperback

Published April 30, 1997

About the author

Michael Collins (a.k.a. Mícheál Ó Coileáin) was an Irish politician and soldier who was a leading figure in the struggle for Irish independence in the early 20th century. Collins was an Irish revolutionary leader, politician, Minister for Finance, Director of Information, and Teachta Dála (TD) for Cork South in the First Dáil of 1919, Adjutant General, Director of Intelligence, and Director of Organisation and Arms Procurement for the IRA, President of the Irish Republican Brotherhood from November 1920 until his death, and member of the Irish delegation during the Anglo-Irish Treaty negotiations. Subsequently, he was both Chairman of the Provisional Government and Commander-in-chief of the National Army. Collins was shot and killed in an ambush in August 1922 during the Irish Civil War.

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Reviews

[S. Sigerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic collection of Collins' own words: including samples from everything from juvenile essays, Collins' articles as a young sports writer, to, of course, his correspondence and public writing relating to Irish independence. Very important to a greater understanding of the man.